Combination therapy comprising SGLT inhibitors and DPP4 inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to combination therapy comprising a DPP4 inhibitor and an SGLT inhibitor. The combination of the present invention leads to increase plasma GLP-1 level and the combination is useful for prevention or treatment of conditions such as diabetes and diseases related to diabetes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Phase of PCT/JP2009/051023 filed on Jan. 16, 2009 which claims priority under 35 U.S.C 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/021,777 filed on Jan. 17, 2008. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for increasing plasma active GLP-1 level in a mammal. The present invention further relates to compositions and methods for ameliorating conditions by increasing plasma active GLP-1 level.

BACKGROUND ART

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that is released from L-cells in lower small intestine after food intake. GLP-1 has been shown to stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and increase pancreatic β-cell mass. GLP-1 has also been shown to reduce the rate of gastric emptying and promote satiety. However, GLP-1 is rapidly cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) leading to inactivation of its biological activity. Therefore, DPP4 inhibitors are considered to be useful as anti-diabetics or anti-obesity agents.

Sodium-glucose co-transporters (SGLTs), primarily found in the intestine and the kidney, are a family of proteins involved in glucose absorption. Plasma glucose is filtered in the glomerulus and is reabsorbed by SGLTs in the proximal tubules. Therefore, inhibition of SGLTs cause excretion of blood glucose into urine and leads to reduction of plasma glucose level. In fact, it is confirmed that by continuous subcutaneous administration of an SGLT inhibitor, phlorizin, to diabetic animal models, the blood glucose level thereof can be normalized, and that by keeping the blood glucose level normal for a long time, the insulin secretion and insulin resistance can be improved [cf., Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 79, p. 1510 (1987); ibid., vol. 80, p. 1037 (1987); ibid., vol. 87, p. 561 (1991)].

In addition, by treating diabetic animal models with an SGLT inhibitor for a long time, insulin secretion response and insulin sensitivity of the animal models are improved without incurring any adverse affects on the kidney or imbalance in blood levels of electrolytes, and as a result, the onset and progress of diabetic nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy are prevented [cf., Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 42, p. 5311 (1999); British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 132, p. 578 (2001)].

In view of the above, SGLT inhibitors are expected to improve insulin secretion and insulin resistance by decreasing the blood glucose level in diabetic patients and to prevent the onset and progress of diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The inventors of the present invention have found that administration of an SGLT inhibitor in combination with a DPP4 inhibitor can provide an unexpected synergistic effect in increasing plasma active GLP-1 level in a patient over that provided by administration of the SGLT inhibitor or the DPP4 inhibitor alone.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention relates to combination of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor such that the combination provides an effect in increasing plasma active GLP-1 level in a patient over that provided by the SGLT inhibitor or the DPP4 inhibitor alone.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to use of combination of an SGLT inhibitor and DPP4 inhibitor for preventing or treating some sort of disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor for use in prevention or treatment of some sort of disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of preventing or treating some sort of disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to use of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of some sort of disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a product containing an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential administration for preventing or treating a disease associated with plasma active GLP-1 level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “diabetes” encompasses both insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (also known as Type 1 diabetes) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (also known as Type 2 diabetes).

The term “disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level” includes diabetes, a condition related to diabetes, obesity, myocardial infarction, stroke, learning impairment, memory impairment, and a neurodegenerative disorder.

The term “condition related to diabetes” includes hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, pancreatic beta-cell insufficiency, enteroendocrine cell insufficiency, glucosuria, metabolic acidosis, cataracts, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic coronary artery disease, diabetic cerebrovascular disease, diabetic peripheral vascular disease, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, stroke, hypertension, and obesity.

The term “halogen” or “halo” refers to chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine, and chlorine and fluorine are preferable.

The term “alkyl” means a straight or branched saturated monovalent hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, unless otherwise noted. The straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable, and the straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferable. Examples of alkyl include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, heptyl, 4,4-dimethylpentyl, octyl, 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, and various branched chain isomers thereof. Further, the alkyl group may optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as listed below, if necessary.

The term “alkylene” means a straight or branched divalent saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, unless otherwise noted. The straight chain or branched chain alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable, and the straight chain or branched chain alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferable. Examples of alkylene include methylene, ethylene, propylene, and trimethylene. If necessary, the alkylene group, may optionally be substituted similarly to “alkyl” as mentioned above.

When alkylene attaches at two different carbon atoms of the benzene ring, they form an annelated five, six or seven membered carbocycle together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, and may optionally be substituted by one or more substituents defined below.

The term “alkenyl” means a straight or branched monovalent hydrocarbon chain having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and having at least one double bond, unless otherwise noted. Preferable “alkenyl” is a straight chain or branched chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and the straight chain or branched chain alkenyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferable. Examples of alkenyl include vinyl, 2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl, 4-heptenyl, 3-octenyl, 3-nonenyl, 4-decenyl, 3-undecenyl, 4-dodecenyl, and 4,8,12-tetradecatrienyl. The alkenyl group may optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary.

The term “alkenylene” means a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and having at least one double bond, unless otherwise noted. The straight chain or branched chain alkenylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable, and the straight chain or branched chain alkenylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferable. Examples of alkenylene include vinylene, propenylene, butadienylene. If necessary, the alkenylene group may optionally be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary.

When an alkenylene group attaches at two different carbon atoms of a benzene ring, they form an annelated five, six or seven membered carbocycle (e.g., a fused benzene ring) together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, and may optionally be substituted by one or more substituents defined below.

The term “alkynyl” means a straight or branched monovalent hydrocarbon chain having at least one triple bond, unless otherwise noted. The preferable alkynyl group is a straight chain or branched chain alkynyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and the straight chain or branched chain alkynyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferable. Examples of “alkynyl” include 2-propynyl, 3-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 4-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 2-heptynyl, 3-heptynyl, 4-heptynyl, 3-octynyl, 3-nonynyl, 4-decynyl, 3-undecynyl, and 4-dodecynyl. The alkynyl group may optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary.

The term “cycloalkyl” means a monocyclic or bicyclic monovalent saturated hydrocarbon ring having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, unless otherwise noted, and the monocyclic saturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms is more preferable. Examples of cycloalkyl include monocyclic and bicyclic alkyl such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, and cyclodecyl. These groups may optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary. The cycloalkyl group may optionally be condensed with a saturated hydrocarbon ring or an unsaturated hydrocarbon ring (said saturated hydrocarbon ring and unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may optionally contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, SO or SO₂ within the ring, if necessary), and the condensed saturated hydrocarbon ring and the condensed unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may be optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below.

The term “cycloalkylidene” means a monocyclic or bicyclic divalent saturated hydrocarbon ring having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, unless otherwise noted, and the monocyclic saturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable. Examples of “cycloalkylidene” include monocyclic and bicyclic alkylidene such as cyclopropylidene, cyclobutylidene, cyclopentylidine, and cyclohexylidene. These groups may optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary. Besides, the cycloalkylidene group may optionally be condensed with a saturated hydrocarbon ring or an unsaturated hydrocarbon ring (said saturated hydrocarbon ring and unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may optionally contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, SO or SO₂ within the ring, if necessary), and the condensed saturated hydrocarbon ring and the unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may be optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below.

The term “cycloalkenyl” means a monocyclic or bicyclic monovalent unsaturated hydrocarbon ring having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and having at least one double bond, unless otherwise noted. The preferable cycloalkenyl group is a monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms. Examples of “cycloalkenyl” include monocyclic alkenyl such as cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, and cyclohexenyl. These groups may optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary. Besides, the cycloalkenyl group may optionally be condensed with a saturated hydrocarbon ring or an unsaturated hydrocarbon ring (said saturated hydrocarbon ring and unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may optionally contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, SO or SO₂ within the ring, if necessary), and the condensed saturated hydrocarbon ring and the unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may be optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below.

The term “cycloalkynyl” means a monocyclic or bicyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon ring having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and having at least one triple bond, unless otherwise noted. The preferable cycloalkynyl group is a monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of “cycloalkynyl” include monocyclic alkynyl such as cyclooctynyl, and cyclodecynyl. These groups may optionally be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary. Besides, the cycloalkynyl group may optionally and independently be condensed with a saturated hydrocarbon ring or an unsaturated hydrocarbon ring (said saturated hydrocarbon ring and unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may optionally contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, SO or SO₂ within the ring, if necessary), and the condensed saturated hydrocarbon ring or the unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may be optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below.

The term “aryl” or “Aryl” means a monocyclic or bicyclic monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, unless otherwise noted. Examples of aryl include phenyl and naphthyl (including 1-naphthyl group and 2-naphthyl group). These groups may optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary. Besides, the aryl group may optionally be condensed with a saturated hydrocarbon ring or an unsaturated hydrocarbon ring (said saturated hydrocarbon ring and unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may optionally contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, SO or SO₂ within the ring, if necessary), and the condensed saturated hydrocarbon ring or the unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may be optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below.

The term “unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring” means an unsaturated hydrocarbon ring containing 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom, and the preferable one is a 4- to 7-membered saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon ring containing 1-4 heteroatoms independently selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom, unless otherwise noted. Examples of the unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring are pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, furan, thiophene, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, 4,5-dihydrooxazolyl, thiazole, isothiazole, thiadiazole, triazole, and tetrazole. Among them, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, furan, thiophene, pyrrole, imidazole, oxazole, and thiazole can be preferably used. The unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring may optionally and independently be substituted by 1-4 substituents as mentioned below, if necessary.

The term “unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring” means a hydrocarbon ring comprised of a saturated or a unsaturated hydrocarbon ring condensed with the above mentioned unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring where said saturated hydrocarbon ring and said unsaturated hydrocarbon ring may optionally contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, SO, or SO₂ within the ring, if necessary. Examples of the unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring include benzothiophene, indole, tetrahydrobenzothiophene, benzofuran, isoquinoline, thienothiophene, thienopyridine, quinoline, indoline, isoindoline, benzothiazole, benzoxazole, indazole, and dihydroisoquinoline. Further, the “heterocyclic ring” also includes possible N- or S-oxides thereof.

The term “heterocyclyl” means a monovalent group of the above-mentioned unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic ring or unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring and a monovalent group of the saturated version of the above-mentioned unsaturated monocyclic heterocyclic or unsaturated fused heterobicyclic ring. If necessary, the heterocyclyl may optionally and independently be substituted by 1 to 4 substituents as mentioned below.

The term “alkanoyl” includes formyl and alkyl linked to carbonyl, unless otherwise noted.

The term “alkoxy” includes alkyl linked to oxygen, unless otherwise noted.

Examples of the substituent for the above each group includes halogen (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine), nitro, cyano, oxo, hydroxy, mercapto, carboxyl, sulfo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylidenemethyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkenyloxy, cycloalkynyloxy, aryloxy, heterocyclyloxy, alkanoyl, alkenylcarbonyl, alkynylcarbonyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkenylcarbonyl, cycloalkynylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, alkynyloxycarbonyl, cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, cycloalkenyloxycarbonyl, cycloalkynyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, alkanoyloxy, alkenylcarbonyloxy, alkynylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkenylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkynylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, heterocyclylcarbonyloxy, alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio, cycloalkylthio, cycloalkenylthio, cycloalkynylthio, arylthio, heterocyclylthio, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino, mono- or di-alkanoylamino, mono- or di-alkoxycarbonylamino, mono- or di-arylcarbonylamino, alkyl-sulfinylamino, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfinylamino, arylsulfonylamino, carbamoyl, mono- or di-alkylcarbamoyl, mono- or di-arylcarbamoyl, alkylsulfinyl, alkenylsulfinyl, alkynylsulfinyl, cycloalkylsulfinyl, cycloalkenylsulfinyl, cycloalkynylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, heterocyclylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkenylsulfonyl, alkynylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl, cycloalkenylsulfonyl, cycloalkynylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, and heterocyclylsulfonyl. Each group mentioned above may optionally be substituted by these substituents.

Further, the terms such as haloalkyl, halo-lower alkyl, haloalkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, halophenyl, and haloheterocyclyl mean alkyl, lower alkyl, alkoxy, lower alkoxy, phenyl group or heterocyclyl (hereinafter, referred to as “alkyl, etc.”) being substituted by one or more halogen, respectively. Preferable examples include alkyl, etc., being substituted by 1 to 7 halogen, and more preferable examples include alkyl, etc., being substituted by 1 to 5 halogen. Similarly, the terms such as hydroxy-alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxy-lower alkoxy and hydroxyphenyl mean alkyl, etc., being substituted by one or more hydroxy groups. Preferable examples include alkyl, etc., being substituted by 1 to 4 hydroxy groups, and more preferable examples include alkyl, etc., being substituted by 1 to 2 hydroxy groups. Further, the terms such as alkoxyalkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, alkoxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, lower alkoxyalkoxy, alkoxy-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, alkoxyphenyl, and lower alkoxyphenyl means alkyl, etc., being substituted by one or more alkoxy groups. Preferable examples include alkyl, etc., being substituted by 1 to 4 alkoxy groups, and more preferable examples include alkyl, etc., being substituted by 1 to 2 alkoxy groups.

The terms “arylakyl” and “arylalkoxy” as used alone or as part of another group refer to alkyl and alkoxy groups as described above having an aryl substituent.

The term “lower” used in the definitions for the formulae in the present specification means a straight or branched carbon chain having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, unless defined otherwise. More preferably, it means a straight or branched carbon chain having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The term “prodrug” means an ester or carbonate, which can be formed by reacting one or more hydroxy groups of the compound used in the combination therapy of the present invention with an acylating agent by a conventional method. Examples of the ester include acetate, pivalate, methyl-carbonate, and benzoate. Further, the term “prodrug” also means an ester or amide, which can be similarly formed by reacting one or more hydroxy groups of the compound used in the combination therapy of the present invention with an α-amino acid or a β-amino acid using a condensing agent by a conventional method.

Examples of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of SGLT inhibitors or DPP4 inhibitors include a salt with an alkali metal (e.g., lithium, sodium, and potassium); a salt with an alkaline earth metal (e.g., calcium, and magnesium); a salt with zinc or aluminum; a salt with an organic base (e.g., ammonia, choline, diethanolamine, lysine, ethylenediamine, t-butylamine, t-octylamine, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, N-methyl-glucosamine, triethanolamine and dehydroabietylamine); a salt with an inorganic acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid); a salt with an organic acid (e.g., formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, and benzenesulfonic acid); and a salt with an acidic amino acid (e.g., aspartic acid, and glutamic acid).

Additionally, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” used herein encompass solvates, and hydrates thereof.

It is evident that some compounds used in the compositions or combination of the present invention may have one or more asymmetric carbon atoms in their structure. It is intended that the present invention includes within its scope the stereochemically pure isomeric forms of the compounds as well as their racemates. Stereochemically pure isomeric forms may be obtained by the methods well known to those skilled in the art. Diastereoisomers may be separated by physical separation methods such as fractional crystallization and chromatographic techniques, and enantiomers may be separated from each other by the selective crystallization of the diastereomeric salts with optically active acids or bases or by chiral chromatography. Pure stereoisomers may also be prepared synthetically from appropriate stereochemically pure starting materials, or by using stereospecific reactions.

SGLT inhibitors are well known to those skilled in the art, and examples of the SGLT inhibitors are described in many publications or patent literatures.

In an embodiment of the present invention, SGLT inhibitors are the C-aryl glucosides disclosed in WO 01/27128 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (1):

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R^(2a) are independently hydrogen, OH, OR⁵, alkyl, CF₃,     OCHF₂, OCF₃, SR^(5i) or halogen, or two of R¹, R² and R^(2a)     together with the carbons to which they are attached can form an     annelated five, six or seven membered carbocycle or heterocycle     which may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms in the ring which are N, O, S,     SO, and/or SO₂; -   R³ and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, OH, OR^(5a), OAryl, OCH₂Aryl,     alkyl, cycloalkyl, CF₃, —OCHF₂, —OCF₃, halogen, —CN, —CO₂R^(5b),     —CO₂H, —COR^(6b), —CH(OH)R^(6c), —CH(OR^(5h))R^(6d), —CONR⁶R^(6a),     —NHCOR^(5c), —NHSO₂R^(5d), —NHSO₂Aryl, Aryl, —SR^(5e), —SOR^(5f),     —SO₂R^(5g), —SO₂Aryl, or a five, six or seven membered heterocycle     which may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms in the ring which are N, O, S,     SO, and/or SO₂, or R³ and R⁴ together with the carbons to which they     are attached form an annelated five, six or seven membered     carbocycle or heterocycle which may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms in     the ring which are N, O, S, SO, and/or SO₂; -   R⁵, R^(5a), R^(5b), R^(5c), R^(5d), R^(5e), R^(5f), R^(5g), R^(5h)     and R^(5i) are independently alkyl; -   R⁶, R^(6a), R^(6b), R^(6c) and R^(6d) are independently hydrogen,     alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or cycloalkyl, or R⁶ and R^(6a) together with     the nitrogen to which they are attached form an annelated five, six     or seven membered heterocycle which may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms     in the ring which are N, O, S, SO, and/or SO₂; -   A is O, S, NH, or (CH₂)_(n) where n is 0-3, and a pharmaceutically     acceptable salt thereof, all stereoisomers thereof, and all prodrug     esters thereof.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is Dapagliflozin represented by Formula (2):

a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a stereoisomer thereof, or a prodrug ester thereof.

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is the C-aryl glucoside compound disclosed in WO 2006/034489 pamphlet, which is represented by Formula (3):

a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a stereoisomer thereof, or a prodrug ester thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are O-aryl glucoside compounds disclosed in WO 01/74834 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (4):

wherein Y is

or heteroaryl;

-   R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are the same or different and are independently     selected from hydrogen, OH, OR⁷, lower alkyl, or halogen, or two of     R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ together with the carbons to which they are     attached can form an annelated five, six or seven membered     carbocycle or heterocycle which may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms in     the ring which are N, O, S, SO, and/or SO₂; -   R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and are independently selected     from hydrogen, OH, OR^(7a), —OAryl, —OCH₂Aryl, lower alkyl,     cycloalkyl, Aryl, arylalkyl, CF₃, arylalkenyl, —OCHF₂, —OCF₃,     halogen, —CN, —CO₂R^(7b), —CO₂H, COR^(8f), CHOHR^(8g),     CH(OR^(7h))R^(8h), —CONR⁸R^(8a), —NHCOR^(7c), —NHSO₂R^(7d),     —NHSO₂Aryl, —SR^(7e), —SOR^(7f), —SO₂R^(7g), —SO₂Aryl,     —OCH₂CO₂R^(7i), —OCH₂CO₂H, —OCH₂CONR^(8b)R^(8c),     —OCH₂CH₂NR^(8d)R^(8e), or a five, six or seven membered heterocycle     which may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms in the ring which are N, O, S,     SO, and/or SO₂, or R⁵ and R⁶ together with the carbons to which they     are attached form an annelated five, six or seven membered     carbocycle or heterocycle which may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms in     the ring which are N, O, S, SO, and/or SO₂; -   R⁷, R^(7a), R^(7b), R^(7c), R^(7d), R^(7e), R^(7f), R^(7g), R^(7h),     and R^(7i) are independently lower alkyl; -   R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b), R^(8c), R^(8d), R^(8e), R^(8f), R^(8g), and     R^(8h) are the same or different and are independently selected from     hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, or together with the     nitrogen to which they are attached form an annelated five, six or     seven membered heterocycle which may contain 1 to 4 heteroatoms in     the ring which are N, O, S, SO, and/or SO₂; -   A is O(CH₂)_(m), S, NH(CH₂)_(m), or (CH₂)_(n) where n is 0-3 and m     is 0-2, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, all     stereoisomers thereof, and all prodrug esters thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the glucopyranosyloxybenzyl-benzene derivatives disclosed in WO 02/028872 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (5):

wherein P represents a group forming a prodrug; and R represents lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, lower alkoxy-substituted lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-substituted lower alkoxy or lower alkoxy-substituted lower alkylthio.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the glucopyranosyloxybenzyl-benzene derivatives disclosed in WO 01/68660 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (6):

wherein R¹ represents hydrogen or hydroxy(lower alkyl); and R² represents lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, hydroxy(lower alkyl), hydroxy(lower alkoxy), hydroxy(lower alkylthio), lower alkoxy-substituted (lower alkyl), lower alkoxy-substituted (lower alkoxy) or lower alkoxy-substituted (lower alkylthio), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is Sergliflozin represented by Formula (7):

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is Sergliflozin-A represented by Formula (8):

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the glucopyranosyloxypyrazole derivatives disclosed in WO 02/053573 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (9):

wherein R represents hydrogen, lower alkyl or a group forming a prodrug; one of Q and T represents a group represented by the formula:

(wherein P represents hydrogen or a group forming a prodrug), while the other represents lower alkyl or halo(lower alkyl);

-   R² represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio,     halo(lower alkyl) or halogen; -   with the proviso that P does not represent hydrogen when R     represents hydrogen or lower alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable     salt thereof.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is Remogliflozin represented by Formula (9a):

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the compounds disclosed in WO 2005/085265 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (10):

wherein one of R¹ and R⁴ represents a group of the formula:

in which R⁵ and R⁶ independently represent hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂-alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₂₋₆ alkenyloxy, C₁₋₆ alkylthio, C₂₋₆alkenylthio, halo(C₁₋₆ alkyl), halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), halo(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), hydroxy(C₂₋₆alkenyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), carboxy, carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy(C₂₋₆alkenyl), carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl, C₂₋₇alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇alkoxycarbonyl(C₂₋₆ alkenyl), C₂₋₇alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), C₁₋₆ alkylsulfinyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, —U—V—W—N(R⁷)—Z, or any of the following substituents (i) to (xxviii) which may have 1 to 3 substituents selected from the following substituent group α on the ring;

-   (i) C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (ii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl-O—, (iii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl-S—, (iv) C₆₋₁₀     aryl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (v) C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), (vi) C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆     alkylthio), (vii) heteroaryl, (viii) heteroaryl-O—, (ix)     heteroaryl-S—, (x) heteroaryl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (xi) heteroaryl(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), (xii) heteroaryl(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), (xiii) C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl, (xiv) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl-O—, (xv) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl-S—, (xvi)     C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (xvii) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), (xviii) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), (xix)     heterocycloalkyl, (xx) heterocycloalkyl-O—, (xxi)     heterocycloalkyl-S—, (xxii) heterocycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (xxiii)     heterocycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), (xxiv) heterocycloalkyl(C₁₋₆     alkylthio), (xxv) aromatic cyclic amino, (xxvi) aromatic cyclic     amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (xxvii) aromatic cyclic amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     or (xxviii) aromatic cyclic amino(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), -   J represents C₁₋₆alkylene which may have hydroxy, or C₂₋₆     alkenylene; -   U represents —O—, —S— or a single bond and with the proviso that at     least one of V and W is not a single bond when U is —O— or —S—; -   V represents C₁₋₆ alkylene which may have hydroxy, C₂₋₆ alkenylene     or a single bond; -   W represents —CO—, —SO₂—, —C(═NH)— or a single bond; -   Z independently represents hydrogen, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl, C₆₋₁₀     aryl(C₂₋₇alkoxycarbonyl), formyl, —R^(A), —COR^(B), —SO₂R^(B),     —CON(R^(C))R^(D), —CSN(R^(C))R^(D), —SO₂NHR^(A) or     —C(═NR^(E))N(R^(F))R^(G); -   R⁷, R^(A), R^(C) and R^(D) independently represent hydrogen, C₁₋₆     alkyl which may have 1 to 5 substituents selected from the following     substituent group β, or any of the following substituents (xxix)     to (xxxii) which may have 1 to 3 substituents selected from the     following substituent group α; -   (xxix) C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (xxx) heteroaryl, (xxxi) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl     or (xxxii) heterocycloalkyl or Z and R⁷ bind together with the     neighboring nitrogen to form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have 1     to 3 substituents selected from the following substituent group α; -   or R^(C) and R^(D) bind together with the neighboring nitrogen to     form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have 1 to 3 substituents     selected from the following substituent group α; -   R^(B) represents C₂₋₇alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino, C₆₋₁₀     arylsulfonylamino, C₁₋₆ alkyl which may have 1 to 5 substituents     selected from the following substituent group β or any of the     following substituents (xxxiii) to (xxxvi) which may have 1 to 3     substituents selected from the following substituent group α; -   (xxxiii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (xxxiv) heteroaryl, (xxxv) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl     or (xxxvi) heterocycloalkyl, -   R^(E), R^(F) and R^(G) independently represent hydrogen, cyano,     carbamoyl, C₂₋₇ acyl, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl), nitro, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, sulfamide, carbamimidoyl     or C₁₋₆ alkyl which may have 1 to 5 substituents selected from the     following substituent group β; -   or R^(E) and R^(F) bind together to form ethylene; -   or R^(F) and R^(G) bind together with the neighboring nitrogen to     form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have any substituent selected     from the following substituent group α; -   Q represents —C₁₋₆ alkylene-, —C₂₋₆ alkenylene-, —C₂₋₆ alkynylene-,     —C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—, —C₁₋₆ alkylene-S—, —O—C₁₋₆ alkylene-, —S—C₁₋₆     alkylene-, —C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—C₁₋₆ alkylene-, —C₁₋₆ alkylene-S—C—     alkylene-, —CON(R⁸)—, —N(R⁸) CO—, —C₁₋₆ alkylene-CON(R⁸)— or     —CON(R⁸)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-; -   R⁸ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; -   ring A represents C₆₋₁₀ aryl or heteroaryl, and -   the other one of R¹ and R⁴ represents hydrogen, hydroxy, amino,     halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, cyano, carboxy, C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, halo(C₁₋₆     alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), cyano(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carbamoyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl) group, an     amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆alkoxy), carbamoyl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl,     C₃₋₇ cycloalkyloxy, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), or C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy); -   R² and R³ independently represent hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halogen,     C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, cyano, carboxy, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     carbamoyl, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, halo(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), cyano(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carbamoyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), amino(C₁₋₆     alkyl), mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆alkoxy), carbamoyl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl,     C₃₋₇cycloalkyloxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl), or C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy); -   A¹ represents O, S or NR⁹; -   A² represents CH or N; -   R⁹ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; -   G represents a group represented by a formula:

or a formula:

-   E₁ represents hydrogen, fluorine or hydroxy; -   E₂ represents hydrogen, fluorine, methyl or hydroxymethyl;     [substituent group α] -   halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halo(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆     alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]amino,     C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino, C₁₋₆     alkylsulfonylamino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     sulfamoyl and —CON(R^(H))R^(I)     [substituent group β] -   halogen atom, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkylthio, halo(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), halo(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆     alkylthio), amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), mono or     di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]amino, ureido,     sulfamide, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl) ureido, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆     alkyl)]ureido, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)sulfamide, mono or     di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]sulfamide, C₂₋₇ acylamino, amino(C₂₋₇     acylamino), C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino,     carbamoyl(C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino), carboxy, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl     group, -   —CON(R^(H)) R^(I), and any of the following substituents (xxxvii)     to (xxxxviii) which may have 1 to 3 substituents selected from the     above substituent group α; -   (xxxvii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (xxxviii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl-O—, (xxxix) C₆₋₁₀     aryl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), (xxxx) C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), (xxxxi)     heteroaryl, (xxxxii) heteroaryl-O—, (xxxxiii) C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl, (xxxxiv) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl-O—, (xxxxv)     heterocycloalkyl, (xxxxvi) heterocycloalkyl-O—, (xxxxvii) aliphatic     cyclic amino or (xxxxviii) aromatic cyclic amino -   R^(H) and R^(I) independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl which     may have 1 to 3 substituents selected from the following substituent     group γ; -   or both of R^(H) and R^(I) bind together with the neighboring     nitrogen to form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have 1 to 3     substituents selected from the following substituent group δ;     [substituent group γ] -   halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), mono or di(C₁₋₆     alkyl)amino, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]amino, ureido,     sulfamide, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl) ureido, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆     alkyl)]ureido, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)sulfamide, mono or     di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]sulfamide, C₂₋₇ acylamino, amino(C₂₋₇     acylamino), C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino,     carbamoyl(C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino), carboxy, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     sulfamoyl and —CON(R^(J))R^(K)     [substituent group δ] -   halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halo(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆     alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     mono or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]amino,     C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino, C₁₋₆     alkylsulfonylamino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     sulfamoyl and —CON(R)R^(K) -   R^(J) and R^(K) independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl which     may have any 1 to 3 substituents selected from hydroxy, amino, mono     or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl and carbamoyl; -   or both of R^(J) and R^(K) bind together with the neighboring     nitrogen to form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have any 1 to 3     substituents selected from hydroxy, amino, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)     amino, C₁₋₆ alkyl, hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl, C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl) and carbamoyl,     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the compounds disclosed in WO 2005/085267 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (11):

wherein

-   R¹ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, halo(C₁₋₆ alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₆     alkyl), dihydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₁₋₆ alkoxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₆ alkenyl,     -J-N(R)—Z¹, -J-CON(R⁵)—Z¹, or any of the following substituents (a)     to (d) which may have any 1 to 3 substituents selected from the     following substituent group α on the ring; -   (a) C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, (b) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (c) C₆₋₁₀ aryl     or (d) C₁₋₆ aryl(C₆₋₁₀ alkyl), -   R² represents hydrogen, halogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; -   R³ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C₁₋₆     alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₂₋₆ alkenyloxy,     C₁₋₆ alkylthio, C₂₋₆ alkenylthio, halo(C₁₋₆ alkyl), halo(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), halo(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     hydroxy(C₂₋₆alkenyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkylthio),     carboxy, carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy(C₂₋₆ alkenyl), carboxy(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), carboxy(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl, C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl(C₂₋₆alkenyl), C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkylthio),     C₁₋₆ alkylsulfinyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl group, —U—V—W—N(R⁶)—Z², or any     of the following substituents (i) to (xxviii) which may have any 1     to 3 substituents selected from the following substituent group α on     the ring; -   (i) C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (ii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl-O—, (iii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl-S—, (iv) C₆₋₁₀     aryl(C₆₋₁₀ alkyl), (v) C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), (vi) C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆     alkylthio), (vii) heteroaryl, (viii) heteroaryl-O—, (ix)     heteroaryl-S—, (x) heteroaryl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (xi) heteroaryl(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), (xii) heteroaryl(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), (xiii) C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl, (xiv) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl-O—, (xv) C₃₋₇cycloalkyl-S—, (xvi)     C₃₋₇cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (xvii) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), (xviii) C₃₋₇cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), (xix)     heterocycloalkyl, (xx) heterocycloalkyl-O—, (xxi)     heterocycloalkyl-S—, (xxii) heterocycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (xxiii)     heterocycloalkyl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), (xxiv) heterocycloalkyl(C₁₋₆     alkylthio), (xxv) aromatic cyclic amino, (xxvi) aromatic cyclic     amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (xxvii) aromatic cyclic amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     or (xxviii) aromatic cyclic amino(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), -   J represents C₁₋₆ alkylene which may have hydroxy, or C₂₋₆     alkenylene; -   U represents —O—, —S— or a single bond and with the proviso that at     least one of V and W is not a single bond when U is —O— or —S—; -   V represents C₁₋₆ alkylene which may have hydroxy, C₂₋₆ alkenylene     or a single bond; -   W represents —CO—, —SO₂—, —C(═NH)— or a single bond; -   Z¹ and Z² independently represent hydrogen, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl), formyl, —R^(A), —COR^(B), —SO₂RB,     —CON(R^(C))R^(D), —CSN(R^(C))R^(D), —SO₂NHR^(A) or     —C(═NR^(E))N(R^(F))R^(G); -   R⁵, R⁶, R^(A), R^(C) and R^(D) independently represent hydrogen,     C₁₋₆ alkyl which may have any 1 to 5 substituents selected from the     following substituent group β or any of the following     substituents (xxix) to (xxxii) which may have any 1 to 3     substituents selected from the following substituent group α; -   (xxix) C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (xxx) heteroaryl, (xxxi) C₃₋₇cycloalkyl     or (xxxii) heterocycloalkyl, -   or both of Z¹ and R⁵ or both of Z² and R⁶ bind together with the     neighboring nitrogen to form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have     any 1 to 3 substituents selected from the following substituent     group α; -   or R^(C) and R^(D) bind together with the neighboring nitrogen to     form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have any 1 to 3 substituents     selected from the following substituent group α; -   R^(B) represents C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino,     C₆₋₁₀arylsulfonylamino, C₁₋₆ alkyl which may have any 1 to 5     substituents selected from the following substituent group 0 or any     of the following substituents (xxxiii) to (xxxvi) which may have any     1 to 3 substituents selected from the following substituent group α; -   (xxxiii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (xxxiv) heteroaryl, (xxxv) C₃₋₇cycloalkyl     or (xxxvi) heterocycloalkyl, -   R^(E), R^(F) and R^(G) independently represent hydrogen, cyano,     carbamoyl, C₂₋₇ acyl group, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₇     alkoxycarbonyl), nitro, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl, carbamimidoyl     or C₁₋₆ alkyl which may have any 1 to 5 substituents selected from     the following substituent group β; -   or R^(E) and R^(F) bind together to form ethylene; -   or R^(F) and R^(G) bind together with the neighboring nitrogen to     form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have a substituent selected     from the following substituent group α; -   Y represents CH or N; -   Q represents —C₁₋₆ alkylene-, —C₂₋₆ alkenylene-, —C₂₋₆alkynylene-,     —C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—, —Cl₁₋₆ alkylene-S—, —O—C₁₋₆ alkylene-, —S—C₁₋₆     alkylene-, —C₁₋₆ alkylene-O—C₁₋₆ alkylene-, —C₁₋₆alkylene-S—C₁₋₆     alkylene-, —CON(R)—, —N(R⁷)CO—, —C₁₋₆ alkylene-CON(R⁷)— or     —CON(R⁷)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-; -   R⁷ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; -   ring A represents C₆₋₁₀ aryl or heteroaryl; -   G represents a group represented by a formula:

or a formula:

-   E¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine or hydroxy; -   E² represents hydrogen, fluorine, methyl or hydroxymethyl;     [substituent group α] -   halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halo(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     a halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆     alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]amino,     C₁₋₆ -alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino, C₁₋₆     alkylsulfonylamino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     sulfamoyl and —CON(R^(H))R^(I)     [substituent group β] -   halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkylthio, halo(C₁₋₆     alkoxy), halo(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆     alkylthio), amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), mono or     di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]amino, ureido,     sulfamide, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl) ureido, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆     alkyl)]ureido, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)sulfamide, mono or     di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]-sulfamide, C₂₋₇ acylamino, amino(C₂₋₇     acylamino), C₁₋₆ alkyl-sulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino,     carbamoyl(C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino), carboxy, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     —CON(R^(H))R^(I), and any of the following substituents (xxxvii)     to (xxxxviii) which may have any 1 to 3 substituents selected from     the above substituent group α on the ring; -   (xxxvii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl, (xxxviii) C₆₋₁₀ aryl-O—, (xxxix) C₆₋₁₀     aryl(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), (xxxx) C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆ alkylthio), (xxxxi)     heteroaryl, (xxxxii) heteroaryl-O—, (xxxxiii) C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl, (xxxxiv) C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl-O—, (xxxxv)     heterocycloalkyl, (xxxxvi) heterocycloalkyl-O—, (xxxxvii) aliphatic     cyclic amino or (xxxxviii) aromatic cyclic amino -   R^(H) and R^(I) independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl which     may have any 1 to 3 substituents selected from the following     substituent group γ; -   or both of R^(H) and R^(I) bind together with the neighboring     nitrogen to form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have any 1 to 3     substituents selected from the following substituent group δ;     [substituent group γ] -   halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), mono or di(C₁₋₆     alkyl)amino, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]amino, ureido,     sulfamide, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)ureido, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆     alkyl)]ureido, mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)sulfamide, mono or     di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]sulfamide, C₂₋₇ acylamino, amino(C₂₋₇     acylamino), C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino,     carbamoyl(C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino), carboxy, C₂₋₇alkoxycarbonyl and     —CON(R^(J))R^(K)     [substituent group δ] -   halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halo(C₁₋₆alkyl),     halo(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆     alkyl), hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), amino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), amino(C₁₋₆ alkoxy),     mono or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, mono or di[hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl)]amino,     C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino, C₁₋₆     alkylsulfonylamino(C₁₋₆ alkyl), carboxy, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     sulfamoyl and —CON(R^(J))R^(K) -   R^(J) and R^(K) independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl which     may have any 1 to 3 substituents selected from hydroxy, amino, mono     or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino, C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl and carbamoyl; -   or both of R^(J) and R^(K) bind together with the neighboring     nitrogen to form aliphatic cyclic amino which may have any 1 to 3     substituents selected from hydroxy, amino, mono or di(C₁₋₆     alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆ alkyl, hydroxy(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl,     C₂₋₇ alkoxycarbonyl(C₁₋₆ alkyl) and carbamoyl, or a pharmaceutically     acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the glucopyranosyloxypyrazole derivatives disclosed in WO 01/16147 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (12):

wherein R¹ represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; one of Q¹ and T¹ represents a group represented by the formula:

while the other represents lower alkyl or halo(lower alkyl); and R² represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, halo(lower alkyl) or halogen, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the compounds disclosed in WO 2006/035796 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (13):

wherein Ring A represents aryl or heteroaryl, each of which may have a substituent(s), Q¹ to Q⁵ are each independently carbon to which hydrogen or a substituent is connected, or nitrogen, E represents a single bond, alkylene, —O—, —S— or —NH—, and R represents methyl, ethyl, fluoromethyl or hydroxymethyl, or a prodrug thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a hydrate or solvate thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the azulene derivatives disclosed in WO 2004/013118 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (14):

wherein R¹ to R⁴ individually represent hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, —C(═O)-optionally substituted lower alkyl, or -optionally substituted lower alkylene-optionally substituted aryl,

-   R⁵ to R¹² individually represent hydrogen, optionally substituted     lower alkyl, halogen, —OH, —O-optionally substituted lower alkyl,     -optionally substituted lower alkylene-OH, -optionally substituted     lower alkylene-O-optionally substituted lower alkyl, —O-optionally     substituted lower alkylene-O-optionally substituted lower alkyl,     —O-optionally substituted lower alkylene-optionally substituted     aryl, -optionally substituted lower alkylene-O—C(═O)-optionally     substituted lower alkyl, —COOH, nitro, cyano, amino, substituted     amino, or —C(═O)—O-optionally substituted lower alkyl, and -   A represents bond or optionally substituted lower alkylene, wherein     -A- may be bonded to any one of the positions 1-8 of the azulene     ring, and any two of R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ may form a benzene ring together     with the adjacent carbon atoms.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the compounds disclosed in WO 2004/080990 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (15):

wherein A ring represents (1) benzene, (2) five or six-membered monocyclic heteroaryl having 1 to 4 hetero atom(s) selected from N, S, and O, or (3) saturated or unsaturated eight to ten-membered heterobicyclic having 1 to 4 hetero atom(s) selected from N, S, and O;

-   B ring represents (1) saturated or unsaturated eight to ten-membered     heterobicyclic having 1 to 4 hetero atom(s) selected from N, S, and     O, (2) saturated or unsaturated five or six-membered     heteromonocyclic having 1 to 4 hetero atom(s) selected from N, S,     and O, (3) a saturated or an unsaturated eight to ten-membered     bicyclic hydrocarbon, or (4) benzene; -   X represents bond or lower alkylene;     wherein Ring A, Ring B, and X have a correlation that (1) when Ring     A is benzene, Ring B is a ring other than benzene or that (2) when     Ring A is benzene, and Ring B is saturated or unsaturated eight to     ten-membered heterobicyclic having 1 to 4 hetero atom(s) selected     from N, S, and O including benzene, or saturated or unsaturated     eight to ten-membered bicyclic hydrocarbon including benzene, X is     bonded to Ring B in a part other than the benzene ring included in     Ring B: incidentally, this correlation specifically means that Ring     A and Ring B cannot be benzene simultaneously and that when Ring A     is benzene and Ring B is benzofuran or indane, X is not benzene     constituting a part of Ring B but bonds with furan or cyclopentane; -   R¹ to R⁴ individually represent hydrogen, lower alkyl, —C(═O)-lower     alkyl, or -lower alkylene-aryl; and -   R⁵ to R¹¹ individually represent hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl,     halogen, halogen-substituted lower alkyl, —OH, ═O, —NH₂, lower     alkylsulfonyl-, halogen-substituted lower alkylsulfonyl-, aryl     sulfonyl-, aryl, saturated or unsaturated five or six-membered     heteromonocyclic having 1 to 4 hetero atom(s) selected from N, S,     and O, -lower alkylene-OH, -lower alkylene-O-lower alkyl, -lower     alkylene-O—C(═O)-lower alkyl, -lower alkylene-O-lower alkylene-COOH,     -lower alkylene-O-lower alkylene-C(═O)—O-lower alkyl, -lower     alkylene-NH₂, -lower alkylene-NH-lower alkyl, -lower     alkylene-N(lower alkyl)₂, -lower alkylene-NH—C(═O)-lower alkyl,     —COOH, —CN, —C(═O)—O-lower alkyl, —C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH-lower alkyl,     —C(═O)—N(lower alkyl)₂, —O-lower alkyl, —O-cycloalkyl, —O-lower     alkylene-OH, —O-lower alkylene-O-lower alkyl, —O-lower     alkylene-COOH, —O-lower alkylene-C(═O)—O-lower alkyl, —O-lower     alkylene-C(═O)—NH₂, —O-lower alkylene-C(═O)—NH-lower alkyl, —O-lower     alkylene-C(═O)—N(lower alkyl)₂, —O-lower alkylene-CH(OH)—CH₂(OH),     —O-lower alkylene-NH₂, —O-lower alkylene-NH-lower alkyl, —O-lower     alkylene-N(lower alkyl)₂, —O-lower alkylene-NH—C(═O)-lower alkyl,     —NH-lower alkyl, —N(lower alkyl)₂, —NH—SO₂-lower alkyl,     —NH—SO₂-halogen-substituted lower alkyl, —NH-lower alkylene-OH,     —NH—C(═O)-lower alkyl, —NH—C(═O)—NH₂, —NH—C(═O)—NH-lower alkyl,     —NH—C(═O)—N(lower alkyl)₂, or —NH—C(═O)—O-lower alkyl.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are represented by Formula (15a):

wherein: R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, —OH, —OMe, —CH₂—OH, —O—(CH₂)₂—OH, —O—(CH₂)₂—NH₂—COOH, —COOEt, —O—CH₂—COOH, or —O—CH₂—COOEt, R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom or halogen atom, R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom, or -Me, and R⁹ represents a hydrogen atom, -Me, halogen atom, or —OMe.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the glucopyranosyl-substituted benzene derivatives disclosed in WO 2005/092877 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (16):

wherein R¹ is selected from the definitions of the group A, and if R³ is selected from the definitions of the group B, R¹ may additionally be selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl-C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₂₋₄ alkynyl-C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, methyl substituted by 1 to 3 fluorine, ethyl substituted by 1 to 5 fluorine, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, methoxy substituted by 1 to 3 fluorine, ethoxy substituted by 1 to 5 fluorine, C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted by hydroxy or C₁₋₃ alkoxy, C₂₋₄ alkoxy substituted by hydroxy or C₁₋₃ alkoxy, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl-C₁₋₃ alkoxy or hydroxy, while in the above-mentioned cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl rings one or two methylene groups may be replaced independently of one another by O or CO;

-   R² denotes hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxy, C₁₋₄     alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, cyano or nitro, while the alkyl or alkoxy group     may be mono- or polysubstituted by fluorine; -   R³ is selected from the definitions of the group B, and if R¹ is     selected from the definitions of the group A, R³ may additionally be     selected from the meanings hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine,     iodine, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl-C₁₋₄     alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl-C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₂₋₄ alkynyl-C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₅₋₇     cycloalkenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkylidenemethyl, hydroxy, C₁₋₆     alkoxy, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl-C₁₋₃ alkoxy, aryl, aryl-C₁₋₃ alkyl,     heteroaryl, heteroaryl-C₁₋₃ alkyl, aryloxy, aryl-C₁₋₃ alkyl-oxy,     methyl or methoxy substituted by 1 to 3 fluorine, C₂₋₄ alkyl or C₂₋₄     alkoxy substituted by 1 to 5 fluorine, C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted by     cyano, C₁₋₄ alkyl substituted by hydroxy or C₁₋₃ alkyloxy, cyano,     carboxy, C₁₋₃ alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, (C₁₋₃     alkylamino)carbonyl, di-(C₁₋₃ alkyl)aminocarbonyl,     pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonyl, piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl,     morpholin-4-ylcarbonyl, piperazin-1-ylcarbonyl, 4-(C₁₋₃     alkyl)-piperazin-1-ylcarbonyl, (C₁₋₄ alkyl)carbonylamino, C₁₋₄     alkyl-sulfonylamino, C₁₋₄ alkylsulfanyl, C₁₋₄ alkylsulfinyl, C₁₋₄     alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonylamino, aryl-C₁₋₃ alkylsulfonylamino or     arylsulfonyl; -   R⁴ and R⁵ independently of one another denote hydrogen, fluorine,     chlorine, bromine, iodine, cyano, nitro, C₁₋₃ alkyl, C₁₋₃ alkoxy, or     methyl or methoxy substituted by 1 to 3 fluorine, -   A denotes C₂₋₆ alkyn-1-yl, C₂₋₆ alken-1-yl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₅₋₇     cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₄ alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl,     heteroarylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄ alkylaminocarbonyl, di-(C₁₋₃     alkyl)aminocarbonyl, pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonyl,     piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl, morpholin-4-ylcarbonyl,     piperazin-1-ylcarbonyl, 4-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)piperazin-1-ylcarbonyl,     arylamino-carbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxycarbonyl,     aryl-C₁₋₃ alkoxycarbonyl, heteroaryl-C₁₋₃ alkoxycarbonyl, amino,     C₁₋₄ alkylamino, di-(C₁₋₃ alkyl)amino, pyrrolidin-1-yl,     pyrrolidin-2-on-1-yl, piperidin-1-yl, piperidin-2-on-1-yl,     morpholin-4-yl, morpholin-3-on-4-yl, piperazin-1-yl, 4-(C₁₋₃     alkyl)piperazin-1-yl, C₁₋₄ alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,     heteroarylcarbonylamino, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyloxy, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenyloxy,     aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, C₁₋₄ alkylsulfinyl, C₁₋₄ alkylsulfonyl, C₃₋₇     cycloalkylsulfanyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkylsulfinyl, C₃₋₇     cycloalkylsulfonyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenylsulfanyl, C₅₋₇     cycloalkenylsulfinyl, C₅₋₇ cycloalkenylsulfonyl, arylsulfanyl,     arylsulfinyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfanyl, heteroarylsulfinyl,     heteroarylsulfonyl, cyano or nitro, while the above-mentioned     alkynyl and alkenyl groups may be mono- or polysubstituted by     fluorine or chlorine, and the above-mentioned alkynyl and alkenyl     groups may be mono- or di-substituted by identical or different     groups L¹, and the above-mentioned cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl rings     independently of one another may be mono- or di-substituted by     substituents selected from fluorine and C₁₋₃ alkyl, and in the     above-mentioned cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl rings one or two     methylene groups may be replaced independently of one another by O,     S, CO, SO, SO₂ or NR^(N); -   B denotes tri-(C₁₋₄ alkyl)silyl-C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkyn-1-yl, C₂₋₆     alken-1-yl, amino, C₁₋₃ alkylamino, di-(C₁₋₃ alkyl)amino,     pyrrolidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-2-on-1-yl, piperidin-1-yl,     piperidin-2-on-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl, morpholin-3-on-4-yl,     piperazin-1-yl, 4-(C₁₋₃ alkyl)piperazin-1-yl, arylcarbonylamino,     heteroarylcarbonylamino, nitro, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyloxy, C₅₋₁₀     cycloalkenyloxy, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkylsulfanyl, C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkylsulfinyl,     C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkylsulfinyl, C₅₋₁₀ cycloalkenylsulfanyl, C₅₋₁₀     cycloalkenylsulfinyl, C₅₋₁₀ cycloalkenylsulfonyl, arylsulfanyl,     arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfanyl or heteroarylsulfinyl, while the     above-mentioned alkynyl and alkenyl groups may be mono- or     polysubstituted by fluorine or chlorine, and the above-mentioned     alkynyl and alkenyl groups may be mono- or di-substituted by     identical or different groups L¹; while the above-mentioned     cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl rings may be mono- or di-substituted     independently of one another by substituents selected from fluorine     and C₁₋₃ alkyl, and in the above-mentioned cycloalkyl and     cycloalkenyl rings one or two methylene groups may be replaced     independently of one another by O, S, CO, SO, SO₂ or NR^(N); -   R^(N) denotes H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₄     alkylsulfonyl, -   L¹ independently of one another is selected from hydroxy, cyano,     nitro, C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₄ alkylcarbonyl,     arylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl,     di-(C₁₋₃ alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonyl,     piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl, morpholin-4-ylcarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl,     heteroarylaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxycarbonyl, aryl-C₁₋₃     alkoxycarbonyl, heteroaryl-C₁₋₃ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₄ alkyloxy,     aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, C₁₋₄ alkylsulfanyl, arylsulfanyl,     heteroarylsulfanyl, C₁₋₄ alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl,     heteroarylsulfinyl, C₁₋₄ alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl and     heteroarylsulfonyl; -   L² independently of one another is selected from fluorine, chlorine,     bromine, iodine, C₁₋₃ alkyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, C₁₋₃     alkoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and cyano; -   R⁶, R^(7a), R^(7b), and R^(7c) independently of one another have a     meaning selected from hydrogen, (C₁₋₁₈-alkyl)carbonyl,     (C₁₋₁₈-alkyl)oxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyl and aryl-(C₁₋₃     alkyl)-carbonyl, while the aryl group mentioned in the definition of     the above groups are meant phenyl or naphthyl group which may be     mono- or di-substituted independently of one another by identical or     different groups L²; and the heteroaryl group mentioned in the     definition of the above groups are meant a pyrrolyl, furanyl,     thienyl, pyridyl, indolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl,     quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl or tetrazolyl group, or is meant pyrrolyl,     furanyl, thienyl or pyridyl, wherein one or two methyne groups are     replaced by nitrogen, or is meant indolyl, benzofuranyl,     benzothiophenyl, quinolinyl or isoquinolinyl, wherein one to three     methyne groups are replaced by nitrogen, while the above-mentioned     heteroaryl groups independently of one another may be mono- or     di-substituted by identical or different groups L²; while, unless     otherwise stated, the above-mentioned alkyl group may be     straight-chain or branched, the tautomers, the stereoisomers     thereof, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is the compound disclosed in WO 2006/117359 pamphlet, which is represented by Formula (17):

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is the compound disclosed in WO 2006/117360 pamphlet, which is represented by Formula (18):

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the propiophenone derivatives disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,842, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which are represented by Formula (19):

wherein OX is a hydroxy group which may optionally be protected, Y is a lower alkyl group, and Z is a β-D-glucopyranosyl group wherein one or more hydroxy groups may optionally be protected.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the propiophenone derivatives disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,873, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which are represented by Formula (20):

wherein X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a methylene group, OY is a protected or unprotected hydroxy group, Z is a β-D-glucopyranosyl group or 4-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl group wherein one or more hydroxy groups of these groups may optionally be acylated, and the dotted line means the presence or absence of a double bond.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the propiophenone derivatives or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,094, which are represented by Formula (21):

wherein R′ is a lower alkanoyl group, and R″ is a hydrogen atom, or R′ is a hydrogen atom, and R″ is a lower alkoxycarbonyl group.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is the propiophenone derivatives or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,424,406 and 5,731,292, which are represented by Formula (22):

wherein Ar is an aryl group, R¹ is hydrogen atom or an acyl group, R² is hydrogen atom, an acyl group or α-D-glucopyranosyl group, or R¹ and R² may combine together to form a substituted methylene group, R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen atom or an acyl group, and OR⁵ is a protected or unprotected hydroxy group or a lower alkoxy group.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the compounds disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0233988, which are represented by Formula (23):

wherein Ring A and Ring B are one of the followings: (1) Ring A is optionally substituted unsaturated heteromonocyclic, and Ring B is optionally substituted unsaturated heteromonocyclic, optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic, or optionally substituted benzene, (2) Ring A is optionally substituted benzene, and Ring B is optionally substituted unsaturated heteromonocyclic, or optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic wherein Y is linked to the heterocyclic ring of said fused heterobicyclic, or (3) Ring A is optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic, wherein the sugar moiety X-(sugar) and the moiety —Y-(Ring B) are both on the same heterocyclic ring of said fused heterobicyclic, and Ring B is optionally substituted unsaturated heteromonocyclic, optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic, or optionally substituted benzene;

-   X is carbon or nitrogen; and -   Y is —(CH₂)_(n)— (wherein n is 1 or 2);     a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof.

In a preferable embodiment, the SGLT inhibitors are the compounds of Formula (24):

wherein R^(A) is a halogen atom, or a lower alkyl group;

-   Ring C is a phenyl group substituted by 1-3 substituents selected     from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a cyano group, a lower     alkyl group, a halo-lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a     halo-lower alkoxy group, a methylenedioxy group, an ethyleneoxy     group, a mono- or di-lower alkylamino group, a carbamoyl group, and     a mono- or di-lower alkylcarbamoyl group; or a heterocyclyl group     substituted by 1-3 substituents selected from the group consisting     of a halogen atom, a cyano group, a lower alkyl group, a halo-lower     alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a halo-lower alkoxy group, a     mono- or di-lower alkylamino group, a carbamoyl group, and a mono-     or di-lower alkylcarbamoyl group;     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof.

Examples of the preferable compounds include:

-   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(5-thiazolyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene; -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-(5-phenyl-2-thienylmethyl)benzene; -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(2-pyrimidinyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene; -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methyl-3-[5-(2-pyrimidinyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene; -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(3-cyanophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene; -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene; -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene; -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-3-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene; -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methyl-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene;     and -   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methyl-3-[5-(3-difluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the indole derivatives disclosed in WO 2006/080577 pamphlet, which are represented by Formula (25):

wherein R¹ is halogen, or alkyl,

-   R² is hydrogen, or halogen, and -   Ar is one of the following groups:

in which R³ and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, hydroxy, phenyl, halophenyl, cyanophenyl, pyridyl, halopyridyl, thienyl, or halothienyl, or R³ and R⁴ together with carbon atoms to which they are attached form a fused benzene, furan or dihydrofuran ring; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of the preferable compounds include:

-   4-chloro-3-(4-ethylphenylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-indole; -   4-chloro-3-(4-ethoxyphenylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-indole; -   3-(5-bromothiophen-2-ylmethyl)-4-chloro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole; -   3-(4-ethylphenylmethyl)-4-fluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-indole; and -   4-methyl-3-(4-cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the indole derivatives disclosed in PCT/JP2007/065213, which are represented by Formula (26):

wherein R¹ is fluorine, or chlorine, and R² is hydrogen, or fluorine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of the preferable compounds include:

-   4-chloro-3-(4-cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole, -   3-(4-cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4-fluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole, -   4-chloro-3-(4-cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-6-fluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole,     and -   3-(4-cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4,6-difluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole;     and     a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the compounds disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0259819, which are represented by Formula (27):

wherein

-   R1 and R2 are each independently F or H or one of said radicals R1     and R2 may be OH; -   R3 is OH or F, with the proviso that at least one of the radicals     R1, R2 and R3 must be F; -   R4 is OH; -   A is O, NH, CH₂, S or a bond; -   X is C, O, S or N, with the proviso that X is C when Y is O or S; -   Y is N, O or S; -   m is 1 or 2; -   R5 is hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CF₃, NO₂, CN, COOH, CO(C₁₋₆     alkyl), COO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂,     C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, HO—(C₁₋₆     alkyl), (C₁₋₆ alkyl)-O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), phenyl, benzyl, C₁₋₆     alkoxycarbonyl,     -   wherein said CO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), COO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CONH(C₁₋₆ alkyl),         CON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆         alkoxy, HO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (C₁₋₆ alkyl)-O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) and C₁₋₆         alkoxycarbonyl radicals are optionally substituted with one or         more fluorine atoms, -   SO₂—NH₂, SO₂NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, S—(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     S—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl, SO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl, SO₂—(C₁₋₆     alkyl), SO₂—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     -   wherein said SO₂NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, S—(C₁₋₆         alkyl), SO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) and SO₂—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) radicals are         optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, and         wherein the phenyl ring of said S—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,         SO—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl and SO₂—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl radicals is         optionally mono- or di-substituted with F, Cl, Br, OH, CF₃, NO₂,         CN, OCF₃, O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₁₋₆ alkyl or NH₂, and wherein o is 0,         1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, -   NH₂, NH—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, NH(C₁₋₇ acyl), phenyl or     O—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     -   wherein the phenyl ring of said phenyl and O—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl         radicals is optionally mono-, di-, or tri-substituted with F,         Cl, Br, I, OH, CF₃, NO₂, CN, OCF₃, O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₁₋₆ alkyl,         NH₂, NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, SO₂—CH₃, COOH, COO—(C₁₋₆         alkyl) or CONH₂, and wherein o is as hereinabove defined;     -   or, when Y is S, R5 and R6 taken together with the carbon atoms         to which they are attached may form a phenyl ring; -   R6 is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkenyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, or phenyl     wherein said phenyl radical is optionally substituted with halogen     or C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   B is C₀₋₁₅ alkanediyl, wherein one or more of the carbon atoms in     said alkanediyl radical may be replaced, independently of one     another, with —O—, —(C═O)—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —S—, —CH(OH)—, —CHF—,     —CF₂—, —(S═O)—, —(SO₂)—, —N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)-, —N(C₁₋₆ alkyl-phenyl)- or     —NH—; -   n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; -   Cyc1 is a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered saturated, partially     saturated or unsaturated ring, wherein one carbon atom of said ring     may be replaced by O, N or S; -   R7, R8, and R9 are each independently hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, I, OH,     CF₃, NO₂, CN, COOH, COO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CONH₂,     CONH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆     alkynyl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, HO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (C₁₋₆ alkyl)-O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     -   wherein said COO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CONH(C₁₋₆ alkyl),         CON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₈         alkoxy, HO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) and (C₁₋₆ alkyl)-O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) radicals         are optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, -   SO₂—NH₂, SO₂NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, S—(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     S—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl, SCF₃, SO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     SO₂—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     -   wherein said SO₂NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, S—(C₁₋₆         alkyl), SO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) and SO₂—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) radicals are         optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, and         wherein the phenyl ring of said S—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,         SO—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl and SO₂—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl radicals is         optionally mono- or di-substituted with F, Cl, Br, OH, CF₃, NO₂,         CN, OCF₃, O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₁₋₆ alkyl or NH₂, and wherein o is as         hereinabove defined, -   NH₂, NH—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, NHH(C₁₋₇ acyl), phenyl or     O—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     -   wherein the phenyl ring of said phenyl and O—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl         radicals is optionally mono-, di-, or tri-substituted with F,         Cl, Br, I, OH, CF₃, NO₂, CN, OCF₃, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl, NH₂,         NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, SO₂—CH₃, COOH, COO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl)         or CONH₂, and wherein o is as hereinabove defined; -   or R8 and R9 taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are     attached form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated, partially saturated     or completely unsaturated ring herein referred to as Cyc2,     -   wherein one or two carbon atom(s) in said Cyc2 ring are         optionally replaced by N, O or S, and wherein said Cyc2 ring is         optionally substituted with C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₅ alkenyl or C₂₋₅         alkynyl,     -   wherein said C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₅ alkenyl and C₂₋₅ alkynyl radicals         are optionally substituted with F, Cl, OH, CF₃, NO₂, CN,         COO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₄ alkyl) or OCF₃, and wherein a         —CH₂— group contained in said C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₅ alkenyl and C₂₋₅         alkynyl radicals is optionally replaced by —O—;         and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitors are the compounds in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0014704, which are represented by Formula (28):

wherein: R1, R2 are each independently OH, F or H with the proviso that

when R1 is F, R2 cannot be OH;

when R1 is OH, R2 cannot be F; and

when R1 is OH, R2 cannot be OH;

-   R3 is OH or F,

wth the proviso that at least one of said R1, R2, R3 radicals must be F;

-   A is O, NH, CH₂, S or a bond; -   R4, R5, and R6 are each independently hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, I, OH,     NO₂, CN, COOH, CO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), COO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₆     alkyl), CON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl,     C₁₋₆ alkoxy, HO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (C₁₋₆ alkyl)-O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), phenyl or     benzyl,     -   wherein said CO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), COO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CONH(C₁₋₆ alkyl),         CON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₆         alkoxy, HO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (C₁₋₆ alkyl)-O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) radicals are         optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, -   SO₂—NH₂, SO₂NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, S—(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     S—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl, SO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl, SO₂—(C₁₋₆     alkyl), SO₂—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     -   wherein the phenyl ring of said S—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,         SO—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl and SO₂—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl radicals may be         mono- or disubstituted with F, Cl, Br, OH, CF₃, NO₂, CN, OCF₃,         O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₁₋₆ alkyl or NH₂ and wherein o is 0, 1, 2, 3,         4, 5 or 6, -   NH₂, NH—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, NH(C₁₋₇ acyl), phenyl,     O—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     -   wherein the phenyl ring of said phenyl and O—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl         radicals may be mono-, di-, or trisubstituted with F, Cl, Br, I,         OH, CF₃, NO₂, CN, OCF₃, O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₁₋₆ alkyl, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₆         alkyl), N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, SO₂—CH₃, COOH, COO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) or CONH₂         and wherein o is as hereinabove defined; -   B is C₀₋₁₅ alkanediyl,     -   wherein one or more carbon atoms in said C₀₋₁₅ alkanediyl         radical are, independently of one another, optionally replaced         by —O—, —(C═O)—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —S—,     -   —CH(OH)—, —CHF—, —CF₂—, —(S═O)—, —(SO₂)—, —N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)-,         —N(C₁₋₆ alkyl-phenyl)- or —NH—; -   n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; -   Cycl is a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-membered saturated, partially     saturated or unsaturated ring, wherein one carbon atom of said ring     may be replaced by O, N or S; -   R7, R8, and R9 are each independently hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, I, OH,     CF₃, NO₂, CN, COOH, COO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CONH₂,     CONH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆     alkynyl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, HO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), (C₁₋₆ alkyl)-O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl),     -   wherein said COO(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CO(CO₁₋₄ alkyl), CONH(C₁₋₆ alkyl),         CON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₁₋₈         alkoxy, HO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) and (C₁₋₆ alkyl)-O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) radicals         are optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, -   SO₂—NH₂, SO₂NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂N(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂, S—(C₁₋₆alkyl),     S—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl, SO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl, SO₂—(C₁₋₆     alkyl), SO₂—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     -   wherein said SO₂NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), SO₂N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, S—(C₁₋₆         alkyl), SO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) and SO₂—(C₁₋₆ alkyl) radicals are         optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, and         wherein the phenyl ring of said S—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,         SO—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl and SO₂—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl radicals is         optionally mono- or disubstituted with F, Cl, Br, OH, CF₃, NO₂,         CN, OCF₃, O—(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C₁₋₆ alkyl or NH₂, and wherein o is as         hereinabove defined, -   NH₂, NH—(C₁₋₆alkyl), N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, NH(C₁₋₇ acyl), phenyl or     O—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl,     -   wherein the phenyl ring of said phenyl and O—(CH₂)_(o)-phenyl         radicals is optionally mono-, di-, or trisubstituted with F, Cl,         Br, I, OH, CF₃, NO₂, CN, OCF₃, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl, NH₂,         NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, SO₂—CH₃, COOH, COO—(C₁₋₆ alkyl)         or CONH₂, and wherein o is as hereinabove defined; -   or R8 and R9 taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are     attached form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered, saturated, partially saturated     or unsaturated ring herein referred to as Cyc2,     wherein one or two carbon atom(s) in said Cyc2 ring are optionally     replaced by N, O or S,     and wherein said Cyc2 ring is optionally substituted with C₁₋₆     alkyl, C₂₋₅ alkenyl or C₂₋₅ alkynyl,     -   wherein said C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₅ alkenyl and C₂₋₅ alkynyl radicals         are optionally substituted with F, Cl, OH, CF₃, NO₂, CN,         COO(C₁₋₄ alkyl), CONH₂, CONH(C₁₋₆ alkyl) or OCF₃,     -   and wherein a —CH₂— group contained in said C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₅         alkenyl and C₂₋₅ alkynyl radicals is optionally replaced by —O—;         and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

DPP4 inhibitors are well known to those skilled in the art, and examples of DPP4 inhibitors can be found in the following publications:

-   (1) TANABE SEIYAKU Co., Ltd.: WO 02/30891 or the corresponding U.S.     patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,622); and WO 02/30890 or the     corresponding U.S. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,138,397); -   (2) Ferring B V: WO 95/15309, WO 01/40180, WO 01/81304, WO 01/81337,     WO 03/000250, and WO 03/035057; -   (3) Probiodrug: WO 97/40832, EP1082314, WO 99/61431, WO 03/015775; -   (4) Novartis A G: WO 98/19998, WO 00/34241, WO 01/96295, U.S. Pat.     No. 6,107,317, U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,949, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,081; -   (5) GlaxoSmithKline: WO 03/002531, WO 03/002530, and WO 03/002553; -   (6) Bristol Myers Squibb: WO 01/68603, WO 02/83128, and WO     2005/012249; -   (7) Merck & Co.: WO 02/76450, and WO 03/004498; -   (8) Srryx Inc.: WO 2005/026148, WO 2005/030751, WO 2005/095381, WO     2004/087053, and WO 2004/103993; -   (9) Mitsubishi Pharma Corp.: WO 02/14271, U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,722,     U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,794, WO 2003/24942, Japan Patent Publication No.     2002-265439, Japan Patent Publication No. 2005-170792, and WO     2006/088129; -   (10) Taisho Pharma Co., Ltd.: WO 2004/020407; -   (12) Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: WO 2004/009544; -   (13) Kyowa Hakko Kogyo: WO 02/051836; -   (14) Kyorin Seiyaku: WO 2005/075421, WO 2005/077900, and WO     2005/082847; -   (15) Alantos Pharmaceuticals: WO 2006/116157; -   (16) Glenmark Pharmaceuticals: WO 2006/090244, and WO 2005/075426; -   (17) Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho: WO 2004/067509; and -   (18) LG lifescience: WO 2005/037828, and WO 2006/104356.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, DPP4 inhibitors are the aliphatic nitrogen-containing 5-membered ring compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,622, which are represented by Formula (29):

wherein A represents —CH₂— or —S—, R¹ represents hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxy lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy lower alkyl group, and R² represents (1) a cyclic group which may be substituted, where the cyclic group portion is (i) a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon group, or (ii) a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heterocyclic group, or (2) an amino group which may be substituted, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of the preferable compounds include:

-   (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(dimethylaminocarbonyl)cyclohexyl-amino]acetylpyrrolidine; -   (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(morpholinocarbonyl)cyclohexyl-amino]acetylpyrrolidine;     and -   (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(4-acetylpiperazin-1-ylcarbonyl)-cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine;     and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt (e.g., besylate) of the above     compounds.

In another preferable embodiment, DPP4 inhibitors are the aliphatic nitrogen-containing 5-membered ring compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,138,397, which are represented by Formula (30):

wherein A is —CH₂—, R¹ is H, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxy lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy lower alkyl group, and R² is a piperazinyl group which may be substituted, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of the preferable compounds include:

-   (S)-2-cyano-1-[t-4-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-1-methyl-r-1-cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine;     and -   (S)-2-cyano-1-[t-4-(4-propionyl-1-piperazinyl)-1-methyl-r-1-cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine;     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another preferable embodiment, DPP4 inhibitors are the compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,794, which are represented by Formula (31):

wherein:

-   X is —NR¹R² wherein R¹ and R² may be the same or different and each     is independently cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, or may be bonded to each other to form a     heterocycle optionally containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms or oxygen     atoms, the heterocycle optionally being condensed with an aromatic     ring optionally having substituents, and the heterocycle optionally     being a Spiro ring, -   —NR³COR⁴ wherein R³ and R⁴ are the same or different and each is     independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, -   —NR⁵CONR⁶R⁷ or —NR⁵CH₂CH₂NR⁶R⁷ wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or     different and each is independently hydrogen atom, alkyl, acyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, or R⁶ and R⁷ may be bonded to each other to form a     heterocycle optionally containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms or oxygen     atoms, the heterocycle optionally being condensed with an aromatic     ring optionally having substituents, -   —NR⁸SO₂R⁹ wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each is     independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, or -   —OR¹⁰ or —OCOR¹¹ wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each a hydrogen atom,     alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, -   Y is CH₂, CH—OH, S, S═O or SO₂, -   Z is a hydrogen atom or cyano, and -   of the above-mentioned groups, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and     heterocycle each optionally have substituents,     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In this embodiment, a more preferable compound is 3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]thiazolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g., hydrobromide).

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is Sitagliptin [developing code: MK-0431; proprietary name: Januvia; chemical name: (3R)-3-amino-1-[9-(trifluoromethyl)-1,4,7,8-tetraza-bicyclo[4.3.0]nona-6,8-dien-4-yl]-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butan-1-one], or an equivalent thereof such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g., phosphate).

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is Vildagliptin [developing code: LAF237; proprietary name: Galvus; chemical name: (2S)-1-[2-[(3-hydroxy-1-adamantyl)amino]acetyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonitrile], or an equivalent thereof such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In still another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is Saxagliptin (developing code: BMS-477118; chemical name: (1S,3S,5S)-2-[(2S)-2-amino-2-(3-hydroxy-1-adamantyl)acetyl]-2-azabicyclo[3.1.0]-hexane-3-carbonitrile), or an equivalent thereof such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In still another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is Alogliptin (developing code: SYR-322; chemical name: 6-[(3R)-3-aminopiperidin-1-yl]-1-(2-cyanobenzyl)-3-methylpyrimidin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione), or an equivalent thereof such as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g., benzoate).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is L-threo-isoleucyl pyrrolidide, L-allo-isoleucyl thiazolidide, or L-allo-isoleucyl pyrrolidide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

As mentioned above, the present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing a disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor in combination.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor are administered in amounts sufficient to lower a blood glucose level in the patient.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for increasing plasma active GLP-1 level comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor in combination.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor are administered in amounts sufficient to increase plasma active GLP-1 level in the patient.

A combination therapy of the present invention is useful in treating or preventing a disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level in a mammal such as a human.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an SGLT inhibitor, a DPP4 inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used as an agent to lower a blood glucose level in patient.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used as an agent to increase plasma active GLP-1 level in a patient.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be used as an agent for treatment or prevention of a disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level.

Examples of a disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level include diabetes, a condition related to diabetes, obesity, myocardial infarction, stroke, learning or memory impairment, and a neurodegenerative disorder. Examples of a condition related to diabetes include hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell insufficiency, enteroendocrine cell insufficiency, glucosuria, metabolic acidosis, cataracts, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic coronary artery disease, diabetic cerebrovascular disease, diabetic peripheral vascular disease, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and obesity. Examples of a neurodegenerative disorder include excitotoxic brain damage caused by severe epileptic seizures, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, prion-associated disease, motor-neuron disease, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes includes Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

The SGLT inhibitors and the DPP4 inhibitors may be administered to a patient by any conventional route of administration, including intravenous, oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal and parenteral administration. The SGLT inhibitors and the DPP4 inhibitors can be administered simultaneously, sequentially, or at separate intervals. When simultaneously administered, the SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor can be incorporated into a single pharmaceutical composition or into separate compositions. When separately administered, therapeutically effective amounts of the SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor can be administered on a different schedule. Each composition may be formulated with common excipients, diluents or carriers, and compressed into tablets, or formulated elixirs or solutions; and as sustained relief dosage forms and the like. The SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor may be administered via different routes.

The SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor are provided in amounts to give a synergistic effect in increasing plasma active GLP-1 level in a patient. Optimal dose of the SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor will vary with patient's age, weight, sex, the particular compound used, the route of administration, and severity of the condition.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an SGLT inhibitor and DPP4 inhibitor, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disease associated with plasma active GLP-1 level.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of diabetes.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a product comprising an SGLT inhibitor and DPP4 inhibitor as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment or prevention of a disease associated with plasma active GLP-1 level.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a product comprising a SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment or prevention of diabetes.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is preferably in unit dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, granules, solutions, suspensions, syrups, aerosol, and suppositories.

The pharmaceutical composition can be formulated with suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and diluents. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and diluents are available to those skilled in the art [see, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, (Gennaro et al., eds.), 20^(th) Edition, 2000]. Examples of the suitable carriers and diluents can include stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide, sodium and calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, magnesium carbonate, talc, gelatin, tragacanth, dextran sulfate sodium, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, sodium alginate, pectin, dextrin, mannitol, sorbitol, lactose, sucrose, starch, cocoa butter, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycols, propylene glycol, ethanol, corn oil, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, benzyl alcohol, and other pharmaceutically acceptable materials.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared by methods well known to those skilled in the art, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulation, levigation, emulsifying, encapsulation, entrapping, lyophilization or spray drying.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is a compound of Formula (23) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, described above.

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is a compound of Formula (24) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, described above.

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is a compound of Formula (25) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, described above.

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is a compound of Formula (26) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, described above.

In a more preferable embodiment of the present invention, the SGLT inhibitor is Sergliflozin, Remogliflozin or Dapagliflozin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of Formula (29) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, described above.

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of Formula (30) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, described above.

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of Formula (31) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, described above.

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, the DPP4 inhibitor is Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin, Saxagliptin or Alogliptin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a more preferable embodiment of the invention, the SGLT inhibitor is Sergliflozin, Remogliflozin or Dapagliflozin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the DPP4 inhibitor is Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin, Saxagliptin or Alogliptin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Preferable examples of combination of the SGLT inhibitor and DPP4 inhibitor of the present invention include the following:

(a) The SGLT inhibitor is a compound of Formula (23):

wherein Ring A and Ring B are one of the followings: (1) Ring A is optionally substituted unsaturated heteromonocyclic, and Ring B is optionally substituted unsaturated heteromonocyclic, optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic, or optionally substituted benzene, (2) Ring A is optionally substituted benzene, and Ring B is optionally substituted unsaturated heteromonocyclic, or optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic wherein Y is linked to the heterocyclic ring of said fused heterobicyclic, or (3) Ring A is optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic, wherein the sugar moiety X-(sugar) and the moiety —Y-(Ring B) are both on the same heterocyclic ring of said fused heterobicyclic, and Ring B is optionally substituted unsaturated heteromonocyclic, optionally substituted unsaturated fused heterobicyclic, or optionally substituted benzene;

-   X is carbon or nitrogen; and -   Y is —(CH₂)_(n)— (wherein n is 1 or 2); or a pharmaceutically     acceptable salt thereof, and

the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of formula (29):

wherein A represents —CH₂— or —S—, R¹ represents hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxy lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy lower alkyl group, and R² represents (1) a cyclic group which may be substituted, where the cyclic group portion is (i) a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon group, or (ii) a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heterocyclic group, or (2) an amino group which may be substituted, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or

the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of Formula (31):

wherein:

-   X is —NR¹R² wherein R¹ and R² may be the same or different and each     is independently cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, or may be bonded to each other to form a     heterocycle optionally containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms or oxygen     atoms, the heterocycle optionally being condensed with an aromatic     ring optionally having substituents, and the heterocycle optionally     being a spiro ring, -   —NR³COR⁴ wherein R³ and R⁴ are the same or different and each is     independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, -   —NR⁵CONR⁶R⁷ or —NR⁵CH₂CH₂NR⁶R⁷ wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or     different and each is independently hydrogen atom, alkyl, acyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, or R⁶ and R⁷ may be bonded to each other to form a     heterocycle optionally containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms or oxygen     atoms, the heterocycle optionally being condensed with an aromatic     ring optionally having substituents, -   —NR⁸SO₂R⁹ wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each is     independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, or -   —OR¹⁰ or —OCOR¹¹ wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each a hydrogen atom,     alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, -   Y is CH₂, CH—OH, S, S═O or SO₂, -   Z is a hydrogen atom or cyano, and     of the above-mentioned groups, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and     heterocycle each optionally have substituents,     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or

the DPP4 inhibitor is Sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

(b) The SGLT inhibitor is a compound of Formula (24):

wherein R^(A) is a halogen atom, or a lower alkyl group;

-   Ring C is a phenyl group substituted by 1-3 substituents selected     from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a cyano group, a lower     alkyl group, a halo-lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a     halo-lower alkoxy group, a methylenedioxy group, an ethyleneoxy     group, a mono- or di-lower alkylamino group, a carbamoyl group, and     a mono- or di-lower alkylcarbamoyl group; or a heterocyclyl group     substituted by 1-3 substituents selected from the group consisting     of a halogen atom, a cyano group, a lower alkyl group, a halo-lower     alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a halo-lower alkoxy group, a     mono- or di-lower alkylamino group, a carbamoyl group, and a mono-     or di-lower alkylcarbamoyl group;     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or a prodrug thereof;     and

the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of formula (29):

wherein A represents —CH₂— or —S—, R¹ represents hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxy lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy lower alkyl group, and R² represents (1) a cyclic group which may be substituted, where the cyclic group portion is (i) a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon group, or (ii) a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heterocyclic group, or (2) an amino group which may be substituted, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or

the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of Formula (31):

wherein:

-   X is —NR¹R² wherein R¹ and R² may be the same or different and each     is independently cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, or may be bonded to each other to form a     heterocycle optionally containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms or oxygen     atoms, the heterocycle optionally being condensed with an aromatic     ring optionally having substituents, and the heterocycle optionally     being a spiro ring, -   —NR³COR⁴ wherein R³ and R⁴ are the same or different and each is     independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, -   —NR⁵CONR⁶R⁷ or —NR⁵CH₂CH₂NR⁶R⁷ wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or     different and each is independently hydrogen atom, alkyl, acyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, or R⁶ and R⁷ may be bonded to each other to form a     heterocycle optionally containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms or oxygen     atoms, the heterocycle optionally being condensed with an aromatic     ring optionally having substituents, -   —NR⁸SO₂R⁹ wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each is     independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, or -   —OR¹⁰ or —OCOR¹¹ wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each a hydrogen atom,     alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, -   Y is CH₂, CH—OH, S, S═O or SO₂, -   Z is a hydrogen atom or cyano, and     of the above-mentioned groups, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and     heterocycle each optionally have substituents,     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or

the DPP4 inhibitor is Sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

(c) the SGLT inhibitor is a compound of Formula (26):

wherein R¹ is fluorine, or chlorine, and R² is hydrogen, or fluorine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and

the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of formula (29):

wherein A represents —CH₂— or —S—, R¹ represents hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxy lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy lower alkyl group, and R² represents (1) a cyclic group which may be substituted, where the cyclic group portion is (i) a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon group, or (ii) a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heterocyclic group, or (2) an amino group which may be substituted, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or

the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound of Formula (31):

wherein:

-   X is —NR¹R² wherein R¹ and R² may be the same or different and each     is independently cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, or may be bonded to each other to form a     heterocycle optionally containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms or oxygen     atoms, the heterocycle optionally being condensed with an aromatic     ring optionally having substituents, and the heterocycle optionally     being a spiro ring, -   —NR³COR⁴ wherein R³ and R⁴ are the same or different and each is     independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, -   —NR⁵CONR⁶R⁷ or —NR⁵CH₂CH₂NR⁶R⁷ wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or     different and each is independently hydrogen atom, alkyl, acyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, or R⁶ and R⁷ may be bonded to each other to form a     heterocycle optionally containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms or oxygen     atoms, the heterocycle optionally being condensed with an aromatic     ring optionally having substituents, -   —NR⁸SO₂R⁹ wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each is     independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, or -   —OR¹⁰ or —OCOR¹¹ wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each a hydrogen atom,     alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or     heteroarylalkyl, -   Y is CH₂, CH—OH, S, S═O or SO₂, -   Z is a hydrogen atom or cyano, and     of the above-mentioned groups, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and     heterocycle each optionally have substituents,     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or

the DPP4 inhibitor is Sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and

(d) the SGLT inhibitor is selected from:

-   (i)     1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; -   (ii)     3-(5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methylbenzene     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; -   (iii)     1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-3-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; -   (iv) 3-(4     Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4-fluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole or a     pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and -   (v) 3-(4     Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4,6-difluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and

the DPP4 inhibitor is selected from:

-   -   (i)         3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g.,         hydrobromide);     -   (ii) Sitagliptin (i.e.,         (3R)-3-amino-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-7-yl]-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butan-1-one)         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g., phosphate);         and     -   (iii)         (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(dimethylaminocarbonyl)cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g., besylate).

When the SGLT inhibitor is to be administered orally or parenterally, the dose can typically be selected from a range of about 0.01 to 100 mg/kg/day, preferably about 0.01 to 30 mg/kg/day. When the SGLT inhibitor is to be administered orally, the dose can typically be selected from a range of about 0.03 to 100 mg/kg/day, preferably about 0.03 to 30 mg/kg/day, more preferably about 0.03 to 10 mg/kg/day. When the SGLT inhibitor is to be administered parenterally, the dose can typically be selected from a range of about 0.01 to 30 mg/kg/day, preferably about 0.01 to 10 mg/kg/day, more preferably about 0.01 to 3 mg/kg/day.

When the DPP4 inhibitor is to be administered orally or parenterally, the dose can typically be selected from a range of about 0.01 to 30 mg/kg/day, preferably about 0.01 to 10 mg/kg/day. When the DPP4 inhibitor is to be administered orally, the dose can typically be selected from a range of about 0.03 to 30 mg/kg/day, preferably about 0.03 to 10 mg/kg/day, more preferably about 0.03 to 3 mg/kg/day. When the DPP4 inhibitor is to be administered parenterally, the dose can typically be selected from a range of about 0.01 to 10 mg/kg/day, preferably about 0.01 to 3 mg/kg/day, more preferably about 0.01 to 1 mg/kg/day.

The dose ratio between the respective inhibitors can be selected appropriately, based on patient's age, weight, sex, severity of conditions, and route of administration. For example, the weight:weight dose ratio between the DPP4 inhibitor and the SGLT inhibitor (DPP4 inhibitor: SGLT inhibitor) may typically fall within a range of 1:0.01 to 1:600, preferably 1:0.1 to 1:300, more preferably 1:0.5 to 1:30.

According to the present invention, both the SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor can be administered once or several times at the daily dose described above.

Examples Example 1 Effects of the SGLT Inhibitor on Plasma Active GLP-1 Level In Glucose-Loaded DPP4-Deficient Rats

(a) Animals:

DPP4-Deficient Male Fisher Rats (Purchased from Charles River Japan, Inc.)

(b) Methods:

(b-1) Preparation and Administration of Test Compound

The test compound was suspended in a solution of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose containing 0.2% Tween 80 at the doses indicated in Table 1, and administered to the test group orally at a volume of 5 mL/kg. The vehicle control group was orally administered a solution of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose containing 0.2% Tween 80 at a volume of 5 mL/kg. Just after the administration of the compound or vehicle, a glucose solution (2 g/kg/5 ml) was given orally.

(b-2) Procedure of Blood Collection and Determination of Plasma Active GLP-1 Level

Blood was collected from the caudal vein of an unanesthetized rat just before and 0.5, 1, and 3 hours after glucose loading. Plasma active GLP-1 level was determined by using RAT ENDOCRINE LINCOplex KIT (LINCO Research).

(b-3) Test Compound

The following compound was used:

Compound A:

-   1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene     (see: United States Patent Application Publication No.     2005/0233988).     (c) Results:

The results are shown in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Test GLP-1 concentration at each time point (hr) Com- Dose after oral administration (pM) pound (mg/kg) 0 0.5 1 3 control 5.8 ± 1.1 10.9 ± 1.6  5.3 ± 1.8  7.6 ± 1.9  Com- 10 6.2 ± 1.3 24.5 ± 4.7*  31.3 ± 7.0** 21.9 ± 2.4** pound A Com- 30 5.3 ± 0.7 24.9 ± 3.8** 34.1 ± 5.7** 27.1 ± 2.1** pound A The results are expressed as means ± SEM (n = 6). Statistical differences between groups were assessed by Dunnett's method. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. control group.

As shown in the above table 1, Compound A markedly increased plasma active GLP-1 level in DPP4-deficient rats. This result suggests that the augmentation of plasma active GLP-1 by compound A is DPP4-independent. The most likely explanation for the finding in that Compound A increases the secretion of GLP-1.

Example 2 Synergistic Effect of the SGLT Inhibitor and the DPP4 Inhibitor on Plasma Active GLP-1 Level in Glucose-Loaded Normal Rats

(a) Animals:

DPP4-Positive Male Fisher Rats (Purchased from Japan SLC, Inc.)

(b) Methods:

(b-1) Preparation and Administration of Test Compounds

Each test compound was suspended in a solution of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose containing 0.2% Tween 80 at the doses indicated in Table 2, and administered to the test group orally at a volume of 5 mL/kg. The vehicle control group was orally administered a solution of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose containing 0.2% Tween 80 at a volume of 5 mL/kg. Just after the administration of the compound or vehicle, a glucose solution (2 g/kg/5 mL) was given orally.

(b-2) Procedure of Blood Collection and Determination of Plasma Active GLP-1 Level

Blood was collected from the caudal vein of an unanesthetized rat just before and 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 hours after glucose loading. Plasma active GLP-1 level was determined by using RAT ENDOCRINE LINCOplex KIT (LINCO Research).

(b-3) Test Compounds

The following compounds were used:

Compound A:

-   1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene;     and     Compound B: -   (2S)-2-Cyano-1-[trans-4-(morpholinocarbonyl)cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine     (see: U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,622).     (c) Results:

The results are shown in Table 2:

TABLE 2 GLP-1 concentration at each time point (hr) Test Dose after oral administration (pM) Compound (mg/kg) 0 0.2 0.5 1 2 Control 6.7 ± 0.3 5.9 ± 0.6 7.3 ± 0.3 6.8 ± 0.5 6.6 ± 0.4 Compound A 10 7.7 ± 0.4 7.9 ± 0.2 10.2 ± 1.0  9.5 ± 0.6 9.6 ± 0.8 Compound A 30 5.9 ± 0.3 7.1 ± 0.3 6.7 ± 0.4 7.5 ± 0.9 9.0 ± 0.9 Compound B  3 7.2 ± 0.6  9.8 ± 0.7* 9.4 ± 0.4 8.3 ± 0.3 7.9 ± 0.5 Compound A + 10 + 3 7.4 ± 0.3  10.1 ± 1.2**  13.6 ± 1.0**  12.6 ± 1.1**  16.8 ± 3.5** Compound B Compound A + 30 + 3 6.4 ± 0.3  10.4 ± 1.3**  14.0 ± 1.6**  14.4 ± 1.4**  21.8 ± 3.1** Compound B The results are expressed as means ± SEM (n = 6). Statistical differences between groups were assessed by Dunnett's method. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. control group.

As shown in Table 2, when the SGLT inhibitor was given separately, there was no increase in the active GLP-1 levels. The DPP4 inhibitor treatment alone increased in plasma active GLP-1 only at 0.2 hr. On the other hand, the combination treatment of Compound A and Compound B produced marked and prolonged increase of plasma active GLP-1 level in DPP4-positive rats.

Example 3 Effects of the SGLT Inhibitor and the DPP4 Inhibitor on Plasma Active GLP-1 Level in Glucose-Loaded Diabetic Mice

(a) Animals:

Male BKS.Cg-+Lepr^(db)/+Lepr^(db)/Jcl mice; an Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes (Purchased from CLEA Japan, Inc.)

(b) Methods:

(b-1) Preparation and Administration of Test Compounds

Each test compound was suspended in a solution of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose containing 0.2% Tween 80 at the doses indicated in Table 3, and administered to the test group orally at a volume of 5 mL/kg. The vehicle control group was orally administered a solution of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose containing 0.2% Tween 80 at a volume of 5 mL/kg. Just after the administration of the compound or vehicle, a glucose solution (2 g/kg/5 mL) was given orally.

(b-2) Procedure of Blood Collection and Determination of Plasma Active GLP-1 Level

Blood was collected from the caudal vein of an unanesthetized mice just before and 0.5, 1, and 2 hours after glucose loading. Plasma active GLP-1 level was determined by using RAT ENDOCRINE LINCOplex KIT (LINCO Research).

(b-3) Test Compounds

The following compounds were used:

Compound A:

-   1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene;     and     Compound B: -   (2S)-2-Cyano-1-[trans-4-(morpholinocarbonyl)cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine.     (c) Results:

The results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 GLP-1 concentration at each time point (hr) Test Dose after oral administration (pM) Compound (mg/kg) 0 0.5 1 2 Control  37.2 ± 11.6 37.0 ± 11.7 33.9 ± 11.1  40.8 ± 13.5 Compound A 10 20.3 ± 9.6 42.6 ± 13.4 49.4 ± 12.0 30.9 ± 8.2 Compound B  3 18.4 ± 5.1 30.0 ± 5.5  46.5 ± 10.1 25.0 ± 4.1 Compound A + 10 + 3 22.8 ± 3.5  109.2 ± 20.4**  82.4 ± 11.6* 55.2 ± 4.6 Compound B The results are expressed as means ± SEM (n = 8). Statistical differences between groups were assessed by Dunnett's method. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. control group.

As shown in table 3, not only in normal animal but also in animal model of Type 2 diabetes, the combination of Compound A and Compound B significantly increased plasma active GLP-1 level.

Example 4 Synergistic Effect of the SGLT Inhibitor and the DPP4 Inhibitor on Plasma Active GLP-1 Level in Glucose-Loaded Normal Rats

(a) Animals:

DPP4-Positive Male Fisher Rats (Purchased from Japan SLC, Inc.)

(b) Methods:

(b-1) Preparation and Administration of Test Compounds

Each test compound was suspended in a solution of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose containing 0.2% Tween 80 at the doses indicated in Table 4, 5 or 6, and administered to the test group orally at a volume of 5 mL/kg. The vehicle control group was orally administered a solution of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose containing 0.2% Tween 80 at a volume of 5 mL/kg. Just after the administration of the compound or vehicle, a glucose solution (2 g/kg/5 mL) was given orally.

(b-2) Procedure of Blood Collection and Determination of Plasma Active GLP-1 Level

Blood was collected from the caudal vein of an unanesthetized rat at appropriate time described in the table. Plasma active GLP-1 level was determined by using RAT ENDOCRINE LINCOplex KIT (LINCO Research).

(b-3) Test Compounds

The following compounds were used for the tests:

Compound C:

-   3-(5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methylbenzene     (see: United States Patent Application Publication No.     2005/0233988);     Compound D: -   1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-3-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene     (see: United States Patent Application Publication No.     2005/0233988);     Compound E: -   3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4-fluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole     (see: WO 2008/013322 pamphlet);     Compound F: -   3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4,6-difluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole     (see: WO 2008/013322 pamphlet);     Compound G: -   3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine     hydrobromide (see U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,794);     Compound H:

Sitagliptin phosphate; and

Compound I:

-   (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(dimethylaminocarbonyl)cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine     besylate (see: U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,622).     (c) Results:

The results are shown in Tables 4-6:

TABLE 4 GLP-1 concentration at each time point (hr) after Test Dose oral administration (pM) Compound (mg/kg) 0 0.2 0.5 1 2 Control 4.4 ± 1.3 10.1 ± 2.3  6.8 ± 1.9  6.0 ± 0.9  5.4 ± 1.3  Compound G 5 5.4 ± 1.8 23.1 ± 3.8*  9.3 ± 2.0  6.2 ± 1.5  7.0 ± 1.7  Compound C + 30 + 5 5.4 ± 1.1 25.8 ± 5.1** 24.0 ± 3.2** 22.6 ± 7.2*  24.3 ± 6.2** Compound G Compound E + 30 + 5 9.0 ± 1.4 26.0 ± 4.5** 28.0 ± 3.6** 28.6 ± 2.4** 37.7 ± 4.3** Compound G Compound D + 30 + 5 5.2 ± 0.9 22.6 ± 2.6*  25.7 ± 3.2** 32.6 ± 3.0** 31.7 ± 1.4** Compound G The results are expressed as means ± SEM (n = 5 or 6). Statistical differences between groups were assessed by Dunnett's method. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs. control group.

TABLE 5 GLP-1 concentration Dose at 2 hr after oral Test Compound (mg/kg) administration (pM) Control 3.8 ± 0.4 Compound H 10 4.1 ± 0.5 Compound C + 30 + 10  15.9 ± 1.0** Compound H Compound E + 30 + 10  19.1 ± 2.0** Compound H Compound F + 30 + 10  16.7 ± 1.5** Compound H The results are expressed as means ± SEM (n = 6). Statistical differences between groups were assessed by Dunnett's method. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs. control group.

TABLE 6 GLP-1 concentration Test Dose at 2 hr after oral Compound (mg/kg) administration (pM) Control 5.5 ± 2.5 Compound I 10 4.0 ± 0.6 Compound C + 30 + 10  21.4 ± 2.3** Compound I Compound E + 30 + 10  26.1 ± 3.1** Compound I The results are expressed as means ± SEM (n = 5 or 6). Statistical differences between groups were assessed by Dunnett's method. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs. control group.

As shown in Tables 4-6, the combination treatment of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor produced marked and prolonged increase of plasma active GLP-1 level in DPP4-positive rats.

These results suggest that the combination of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor provided substantial elevation of plasma active GLP-1 level.

According to the present invention, a combination of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor can be used to prevent or treat some sort of disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level with a dose of a DPP4 inhibitor substantially lower than that currently contemplated for use in monotherapy for said condition, thereby reducing the likelihood of unwanted side-effects associated with inhibition of DPP4 activity. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for increasing plasma active GLP-1 level comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor, wherein the SGLT inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of: 1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-3-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4-fluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and 3-(4 Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4,6-difluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and; the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of: 3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl)thiazolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; Sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(dimethylaminocarbonyl)cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A method for treating a disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor, wherein the SGLT inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of: 1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 3-(5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methylbenzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-3 pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4-fluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and 3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4,6-difluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of: 3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; Sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(dimethylaminocarbonyl)cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and wherein the disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level is selected from the group consisting of diabetes, a condition related to diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke and a neurodegenerative disorder, and wherein the condition related to diabetes is selected from the group consisting of hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, pancreatic beta-cell insufficiency, enteroendocrine cell insufficiency, glucosuria, metabolic acidosis, cataracts, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic coronary artery disease, diabetic cerebrovascular disease, diabetic peripheral vascular disease, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and obesity.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the disease associated with plasma active GLP-1 level is a neurodegenerative disorder, which is selected from excitotoxic brain damage caused by severe epileptic seizures, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, prion-associated disease, motor-neuron disease, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and peripheral neuropathy.
 4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the SGLT inhibitor is 3-(5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methylbenzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and the DPP4 inhibitor is 3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the SGLT inhibitor is 3-(5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methylbenzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and the DPP4 inhibitor is Sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an SGLT inhibitor, a DPP4 inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, wherein the SGLT inhibitor and the DPP4 inhibitor are in amounts sufficient to increase plasma active GLP-1 level in a patient, wherein the SGLT inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of: 1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 3-(5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methylbenzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-3-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-3-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and 3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4,6-difluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of: 3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; Sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(dimethylaminocarbonyl)cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A product comprising an SGLT inhibitor and a DPP4 inhibitor as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential administration for treating a disease associated with plasma active GLP-1 level, wherein the SGLT inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of: 1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]-benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 3-(5-(4-Fluorphenyl-2-thienylmethyl)-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methylbenzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 1-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4-chloro-3-[5-(6-fluoro-3-pyridyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl)-4-fluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and 3-(4-Cyclopropylphenylmethyl-4,6-difluoro-1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)indole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and the DPP4 inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of: 3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; Sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (2S)-2-cyano-1-[trans-4-(dimethylaminocarbonyl)cyclohexylamino]acetylpyrrolidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and wherein the disease which is associated with plasma active GLP-1 level is selected from the group consisting of diabetes, a condition related to diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke and a neurodegenerative disorder, and wherein the condition related to diabetes is selected from the group consisting of hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, pancreatic beta-cell insufficiency, enteroendocrine cell insufficiency, glucosuria, metabolic acidosis, cataracts, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic coronary artery disease, diabetic cerebrovascular disease, diabetic peripheral vascular disease, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and obesity. 